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Category: Government and Politics / Federal Parliament / Parliament / Federal Government / Industrial Relations

PM won't rule out horsetrading on gun laws for ABCC bill

Tuesday, 18 Oct 2016 08:28:56 | Anna Henderson

Gun control advocates want an import ban on the Adler A110 lever-action shotgun. (Supplied: noia.com.au)

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has refused to rule out negotiating over Australia's gun laws to secure support from crossbench Senator David Leyonhjelm to pass the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) legislation.

External Link: Bill Shorten tweet

A temporary import ban on the Adler shotgun was introduced under Tony Abbott's government in 2015 and was set to expire in July, but the ban has been extended.

Senator Leyonhjelm, who has long advocated for the import ban to be lifted, has accused the Government of breaking a deal with him to see the laws changed last year.

He has now suggested it could be a condition of his support for the reintroduction of the ABCC.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten described the negotiating process as a "disgrace".

Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus also attacked the Prime Minister.

"We've had extraordinary revelations today that Malcolm Turnbull is prepared, it seems to water down Australia's best in the world gun laws in order to get his anti-worker legislation through the Parliament," Mr Dreyfus said.

I kept my side of the bargain: Leyonhjelm

Labor and the Greens oppose the ABCC bill and the Government needs nine crossbenchers on side to get the bill through Parliament.

"I had a deal with the Government that they reneged on," Senator Leyonhjelm said.

"It was in writing. I kept my side of the bargain and the Government has not kept its side of the bargain.

"Needless to say I am cranky about it, but it isn't the only thing on the table."

Senator Leyonhjelm told Radio National he was not calling for a broader relaxation of gun laws and was willing to discuss other concessions with the Government.

Gun control advocates have supported the import ban due to the Adler's fast firing rate and seven-shot magazine.

Mr Turnbull dodged direct questions about his negotiations on the ABCC, but praised former prime minister John Howard's gun reforms after the Port Arthur massacre as "one of the great prides of the Coalition".

"I want to stress to you that we have the most, if not the most rigorous laws on the regulation of firearms in the world," Mr Turnbull said.

Gun laws subject to 'political games'

Alannah & Madeline Foundation chief executive Lesley Podesta said it was disappointing to see "gun laws subject to political games".

"We've had bipartisan support for strong gun laws in this country since Port Arthur and we can't afford to take a backwards step," she said.

Victorian Senator Derryn Hinch has expressed concern with Senator Leyonhjelm's comments on the Adler shotgun.

"I have owned a farm and I know you have to have a gun on farms, but I don't think you have to have Adlers and I think they are being abused," he said.

"I hope David Leyonhjelm isn't using that [Adler shotguns] as some trade off on the ABCC."

South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon has also voiced concerns with Senator Leyonhjelm's statements.

"The problem with horsetrading is sometimes you end up with a donkey or worse still, you end up making an ass of yourself," he said.

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